broadening the scope of the ecodesign framework directive ... · 4.a. sustainably sourced wood -...

Broadening the scope of the Ecodesign Framework Directive. A case study on wooden products

Potential for the Circular Economy transition?

Thomas de Römph 30 August - 1 September 2017 EELF Conference – Copenhagen

1. Introduction

Legal framework

Ecodesign Framework Directive 2005 energy-using product

Implementing Measures obligatory ecological requirements

Ecodesign Framework Directive 2009 energy-related product

Why not broaden its scope to all products?!?

1. Introduction

80% = design !

Content

1. Introduction

2. Problems

3. Approach study

4. Result of three Circular Economy benchmarks

A. Sustainably sourced wood

B. Non-toxic chemicals

C. Recycled wood

5. General results: conclusion

2. Problems

2015 Circular Economy Package

& 2016 ‘Third Working Programme 2016-2019’

1) predominantly on energy X material-related

2) during the use stage X life-cycle

3) only energy-related products X all products?

Content

1. The Circular Economy

2. Problems

3. Approach study

4. Result of three Circular Economy benchmarks

A. Sustainably sourced wood

B. Non-toxic chemicals

C. Recycled wood

5. General results: conclusion

3. Approach study

From problems to changes

1) material-related impacts ‘Circular Economy benchmarks’

2) occurring along the entire material life-cycle

3) of all products wooden products

3. Approach study

Methodology

1. Identify legal basis for each CE benchmark

Relevant legislation

Ecodesign Framework Directive

2. Identify additional features for each CE benchmark

Learn from other legislation

3. Study coherence between legislation and legal framework

for wooden products

Mapping exercise of the interplay: overlaps, gaps,

synergies, contradictions…

3. Approach study

Methodology

1. Identify legal basis for each CE benchmark

Relevant legislation

Ecodesign Framework Directive

Conclusion: Ecodesign provides legal basis for all CE

benchmarks

Assumptions based on practice

Assumptions not based on legal reasons

Does not provide much guidance…

3. Approach study

Methodology

1. Identify legal basis for each CE benchmark

Relevant legislation

Ecodesign Framework Directive

2. Identify additional features for each CE benchmark

Learn from other legislation

3. Study coherence between legislation and legal framework

for wooden products

Mapping exercise of the interplay: overlaps, gaps,

synergies, contradictions…

After

resource stage

sustainably sourced wood

non-toxic chemicals

recycled wood

product stageproduct

durability

waste prevention

waste stage

product recoverability

.

Legislation survey

too broad for today

3 CE benchmarks

resource stage

features & coherence

Content

1. Introduction

2. Problems

3. Approach study

4. Result of three Circular Economy benchmarks

A. Sustainably sourced wood

B. Non-toxic chemicals

C. Recycled wood

5. General results: conclusion

4.A. Sustainably sourced wood

Ecodesign Framework Directive 2009

EU Timber Regulation 2012

CLP Regulation 2008

REACH 2006

Biocidal Products Regulation 2012

Construction Products Regulation 2011

Ecolabel Regulation 2010 (3 EU Ecolabel criteria)

Public Procurement Directives 2014 (3 GPP criteria)

Waste Framework Directive 2008

4.A. Sustainably sourced wood - Features

Meaning Sustainable Forest Management

Timber legality instead of sustainability, national legislation

directly applicable to forest management (Art. 2(h))

Ecolabel 40% must originate from SFM certified forests fulfilling

the criteria listed in 1998 Council Resolution on forestry (or recycled)

Construction non-binding and vague ‘environmentally compatible

raw materials’ but no specific SFM definition or requirements

Proof/information: instruments to guarantee compliance

Timber producers ‘act due diligence’, flexible approach to proof by

existing structures of information supply/compliance, including non-regulatory mean such as certificates

Ecolabel producers must have a policy for sustainable wood

procurement and a system to trace/verify/track the SFM origin – certification

Construction CE mark: from harmonized European product

standards to national performance requirements

4.A. Sustainably sourced wood - Features

Meaning Sustainable Forest Management

Timber legality instead of sustainability, national legislation

directly applicable to forest management (Art. 2(h))

Ecolabel 40% must originate from SFM certified forests fulfilling

the criteria listed in 1998 Council Resolution on forestry (or recycled)

Construction non-binging and vague ‘environmentally compatible

raw materials’ but no specific SFM definition or requirements

Proof/information: instruments to guarantee compliance

Timber producers ‘act due diligence’, flexible approach to proof by

existing structures of information supply/compliance, including non-regulatory mean such as certificates

Ecolabel producers must have a policy for sustainable wood

procurement and a system to trace/verify/track the SFM origin – certification

Construction CE mark: from harmonized European product

standards to national performance requirements

Features

meaning of SFM +

information trail as

proof

Learn

existing broad term

SFM + certificates

4.A. Sustainably sourced wood - Coherence

Ecodesign and…

Timber Ecodesign as a first step to broaden the scope of Timber

Ecolabel presumption of conformity ecodesign requirements, so no

higher thresholds than Ecolabels – constant interaction. Today, no

interplay (different products) but will be if scope widened

Construction two CE marking regimes: Implementing Measures v

standards and national requirements, so despite the great resemblances

there is a potential overlap which should be coordinated. BUT:

marking via Construction prevails (Art. 8(3))

4.A. Sustainably sourced wood - Coherence

Ecodesign and…

Timber Ecodesign as a first step to broaden the scope of Timber

Ecolabel presumption of conformity ecodesign requirements, so no

higher thresholds than Ecolabels – constant interaction. Today, no

interplay (different products) but will be if scope widened

Construction two CE marking regimes: Implementing Measures v

standards and national requirements, so despite the great resemblances

there is a potential overlap which should be coordinated. BUT:

marking via Construction prevails (Art. 8(3))

Learn

no construction

products +

interaction with

voluntary measures

+ use standards

and certification

4.B. Non-toxic chemicals

Ecodesign Framework Directive 2009

EU Timber Regulation 2012

CLP Regulation 2008

REACH 2006

Biocidal Products Regulation 2012

Construction Products Regulation 2011

Ecolabel Regulation 2010 (3 EU Ecolabel criteria)

Public Procurement Directives 2014 (3 GPP criteria)

Waste Framework Directive 2008

4.B. Non-toxic chemicals - Features

Approach: hazard (intrinsic properties e.g. toxicity) v risk (likelihood and level of harm)

CLP identification and communication hazards downstream

Biocidal all wood preservatives require authorization, which is

based on risk approach, but only after the approval of the active substance. Approval largely relies on CLP classification (hazard), but deviation is based on risk approach. Treated products also require prior approval of the active substance.

Procurement the first GPPs refer to CLP classifications while the

more recent refer to REACH (predominantly a risk approach)

Principles: preventive (known harm) v precautionary (unknown harm)

CLP explicitly rejected but still some elements precaution, e.g.

ECHA’s risk assessment as an opinion for proposal classification & labelling

Biocidal precautionary in active substance and authorization

Procurement refers to CLP and REACH

4.B. Non-toxic chemicals - Features

Approach: hazard (intrinsic properties e.g. toxicity) v risk (likelihood and level of harm)

CLP identification and communication hazards downstream

Biocidal all wood preservatives require authorization, which is

based on risk approach, but only after the approval of the active substance. Approval largely relies on CLP classification (hazard), but deviation is based on risk approach. Treated products also require prior approval of the active substance.

Procurement the first GPPs refer to CLP classifications while the

more recent refer to REACH (predominantly a risk approach)

Principles: preventive (known harm) v precautionary (unknown harm)

CLP explicitly rejected but still some elements precaution, e.g.

ECHA’s risk assessment as an opinion for proposal classification & labelling

Biocidal precautionary in active substance and authorization

Procurement refers to CLP and REACH

Features

hazard/risk

approach + legal

principles

Learn

risk approach +

precaution

4.B. Non-toxic chemicals - Coherence

Ecodesign and…

CLP Ecodesign explicitly refers to the ‘CLP Regulation and other

legislation’ to be used in Implementing Measures (such as REACH and

Biocidal)

Biocidal precautionary principle requires consistency with similar

already taken in similar circumstances and no double counting: wooden

products are already regulated by Biocidal (lex specialis, which uses

CLP and REACH)

Procurement there is no clear interplay, but one could use

procurement to act more responsively to new scientific evidence than

the Ecodesign framework

Ecodesign and…

CLP Ecodesign explicitly refers to the ‘CLP Regulation and other

legislation’ to be used in Implementing Measures (such as REACH and

Biocidal)

Biocidal precautionary principle requires consistency with similar

already taken in similar circumstances and no double counting: wooden

products are already regulated by Biocidal (lex specialis, which uses

CLP and REACH)

Procurement there is no clear interplay, but one could use

procurement to act more responsively to new scientific evidence than

the Ecodesign framework

4.B. Non-toxic chemicals - Coherence

Learn

complex chemical

legislation very

extensive +

references to other

legislation +

Biocidal

4.C. Recycled wood

Ecodesign Framework Directive 2009

EU Timber Regulation 2012

CLP Regulation 2008

REACH 2006

Biocidal Products Regulation 2012

Construction Products Regulation 2011

Ecolabel Regulation 2010 (3 EU Ecolabel criteria)

Public Procurement Directives 2014 (3 GPP criteria)

Waste Framework Directive 2008

4.C. Recycled wood - Features

Terminology and categories (quality and/or pre- post-user)

Waste waste and recycling definitions, but no subcategories

Ecolabel not obliged to address recycled content but labels do

it nevertheless: using waste-related definitions incorrectly and no subcategories

Procurement terminological difference, ‘recycled’ always

paired with ‘reused’, no subcategories

Proof/information: instruments to guarantee compliance

Waste separate collection and EPR + great reliance on product

legislation and product standards

Ecolabel system in place to trace/verify the origin of the

recycled wood, at least in compliance with the European Panel Federation standard for delivery conditions of recycled wood. Since SFM relies on certificates for the system, presumably recycled content as well (e.g. FSC)

Procurement ’the greater the % in volume, the greater the

award points’ and a core criterion ‘% by weight’. Bidders must provide a signed declaration ‘or other appropriate means/documentation’: self-declarations and/or certification

4.C. Recycled wood - Features

Terminology and categories (quality and/or pre- post-user)

Waste waste and recycling definitions, but no subcategories

Ecolabel not obliged to address recycled content but labels do

it nevertheless: using waste-related definitions incorrectly and no subcategories

Procurement terminological difference, ‘recycled’ always

paired with ‘reused’, no subcategories

Proof/information: instruments to guarantee compliance

Waste separate collection and EPR + great reliance on product

legislation and product standards

Ecolabel system in place to trace/verify the origin of the

recycled wood, at least in compliance with the European Panel Federation standard for delivery conditions of recycled wood. Since SFM relies on certificates for the system, presumably recycled content as well (e.g. FSC)

Procurement ’the greater the % in volume, the greater the

award points’ and a core criterion ‘% by weight’. Bidders must provide a signed declaration ‘or other appropriate means/documentation’: self-declarations and/or certification

Features

correct use of

terminology + proof

of content and

information supply x

categories

Learn

use Waste definitions

+ standards and

certificates

4.C. Recycled wood - Coherence

Ecodesign and…

Waste Ecodesign sometimes uses incorrect terminology, e.g. for

recycling, and/or does not always refer to the Waste Framework

Directive

Ecolabel presumption of conformity with Implementing Measures,

so in Ecodesign no higher thresholds than Ecolabels – constant

interaction. Today, no interplay (different products) but will be if scope

widened

Procurement procurement can be used to stimulate the recycling

market even more, so in Ecodesign no higher thresholds than

Ecolabels – constant interaction

4.C. Recycled wood - Coherence

Ecodesign and…

Waste Ecodesign sometimes uses incorrect terminology, e.g. for

recycling, and/or does not always refer to the Waste Framework

Directive

Ecolabel presumption of conformity with Implementing Measures,

so in Ecodesign no higher thresholds than Ecolabels – constant

interaction. Today, no interplay (different products) but will be if scope

widened

Procurement procurement can be used to stimulate the recycling

market even more, so in Ecodesign no higher thresholds than

Ecolabels – constant interaction

Learn:

not many measures

+ use Waste as a

reference law +

interaction with

voluntary measures

+ use standards

and certification

Content

1. Introduction

2. Problems

3. Approach study

4. Result of three Circular Economy benchmarks

A. Sustainably sourced wood

B. Non-toxic chemicals

C. Recycled wood

5. General results: conclusion

5. General results: conclusion

Recap: Ecodesign Framework Directive provides for a legal basis

for all Circular Economy benchmarks

However, features come into play per CE benchmark:

Sustainably sourced wood: terminology, proof/information

Non-toxic chemicals: legal principles, proof/information

Recycled wood: terminology, categories, proof/information

Product durability: terminology, categories, proof/information

Waste prevention: legal principles, categories

Product recoverability: legal principles, terminology,

categories, proof/information

5. General results: conclusion

Use features in regulatory framework for coherence:

Terminology challenge is using the correct definitions

and/or to refer correctly: refer to horizontal laws

Proof/information flexible approach but great reliance on

private parties: use standards and certificates

Categories recommended but could frustrate terminology

and proof/information: first check terminology and

proof/information

Environmental legal principles principles are explained

differently in each situation, but establish common foundations

Life-cycle thinking in nearly all legislation: environmental

legal principle in the making?!?

Broadening the scope of the Ecodesign Framework Directive. A case study on wooden products

Potential for the Circular Economy transition?

5. General results: conclusion

YES, broadening Ecodesign to wooden products, because:

A legal basis is provided material-related & life-cycle

thinking

It addresses Circular Economy benchmarks However,

there is much more: features and coherence

BUT, similar studies are required for other product groups to

see which additional features can be identified, and to see if

the same results on coherence are obtained so as to use them

in the future in the Ecodesign Framework Directive

Questions? Spørgsmål?

thomas.deromph@kuleuven.be